# D & D on the Straight Dope setup thread. (In Middle Earth FA63) **URL:** \ **Category:** Thread Games\ **Tags:** middle-earth-game\ **Created:** [February 26, 2008, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276 "2008-02-26T20:17:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 68
**Author:** ![RogueRacer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/7ab992/32.png) [@RogueRacer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RogueRacer)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2008, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276/1341 "2008-11-13T19:31:45Z")
Wasn’t he shot up with arrows pretty good in the book too? I know what you mean about it being a long scene though. Maybe it could have been better served with less slow motion? ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2008, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276/1342 "2008-11-13T19:43:16Z")
> [@RogueRacer](#): > > Wasn’t he shot up with arrows pretty good in the book too? I know what you mean about it being a long scene though. Maybe it could have been better served with less slow motion? The book had him shot with many arrow too and still doing his dying breath speech. He killed 20 or more orcs and his sword was broken and his horn split. > [@](#): > > But Aragorn saw that he was pierced with many black-feathered arrows; > … > Aragorn knelt beside him. Boromir opened his eyes and strove to speak. At last slow words came. 'I tried to take the Ring from Frodo ’ he said. ‘I am sorry. I have paid.’ > … > ‘They have gone: the Halflings: the Orcs have taken them. I think they are not dead. Orcs bound them.’ > … > ‘Farewell, Aragorn! Go to Minas Tirith and save my people! I have failed.’ \*\*I’m about to put up a major post in the game thread. House and Goblin hunt. \*\* ---
**Author:** ![RogueRacer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/7ab992/32.png) [@RogueRacer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RogueRacer)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2008, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276/1343 "2008-11-13T20:39:00Z")
Moved here from the game thread. > [@Middle Earth FA63 D&D Game. Fourth Adventure. Journey to Rivendell](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/middle-earth-fa63-d-d-game-fourth-adventure-journey-to-rivendell/464375/1018): > > Do we have a convention for the color used to denote magic items? I think I’ve seen blue, light blue, blue and bold, blue in different fonts, pink, purple, orange… I’m sure **What Exit?** will have a more definitive answer, but we’ve been using blue for Sting and Curu’s blade since they glow blue on occasion. Most other magic items seem to be in green if anything. At least the part that breaks character. For example, +1 silver bullets. Spells seem to be in blue most of the time. Damage taken is in red. Other than that, it seems up to the individual. ---
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2008, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276/1344 "2008-11-13T20:40:20Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > **Glee** , you can cast \*\*Call Lightning \*\*as long as it is cloudy out. Check the spell. As your quote states (bolding mine) "When a call lightning spell is cast, there \*\*must be a storm of some sort in the area \*\*- a rain shower, clouds and wind, hot and cloudy conditions, or even a tornado. " Just having some clouds in the sky is not enough. > [@What\_Exit](#): > > I am not saying the horses should be brought into the tower, but they need to at least be up the hill if you want to use either the tower or to try the mysterious house. I realise it’s difficult describing things by text (and you do a good job 🙂 ), but I simply couldn’t see how climbing up a hill (usually it’s safer below in a storm!) to either a burning Tower or a sealed House would help the horses. Our mounts take up a lot of room (and are naturally scared by fire). ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2008, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276/1345 "2008-11-13T21:17:08Z")
> [@RogueRacer](#): > > I’m sure **What Exit?** will have a more definitive answer, but we’ve been using blue for Sting and Curu’s blade since they glow blue on occasion. Most other magic items seem to be in green if anything. At least the part that breaks character. For example, +1 silver bullets. Spells seem to be in blue most of the time. Damage taken is in red. Other than that, it seems up to the individual. I knew I used Silver. It was for Mulligan’s **+2 Silver Bullets**. \*\*_Those and many arrows still need to be recovered_. \*\* For Sting I use RoyalBLue to seperate it from the Blue for Spells. I put more in the game thread. From there … Sting or Curu’s Sword are glowing I try to use RoyalBlue for the Color. One time I used DarkOrchidalmost as a small joke as Sting was glowing and covered in troll blood. I think I used DarkOrange for when Gil-Gandel had his swords flaming. I’ve tried Silver and Gold at various times. The Bold Gold almost works for Gilraen’s gift via Arwen from Galadriel. ( **The Bauble** ) I recently used Orange for the punching damage Gil-Gandel took as it was only ½ actual damage and ½ temporary damage. Red of course is party damage. DarkGreen for asides of course. Green of the ElfStone Inn and Century Gothic Font I believe. > [@glee](#): > > As your quote states (bolding mine) "When a call lightning spell is cast, there \*\*must be a storm of some sort in the area \*\*- a rain shower, clouds and wind, hot and cloudy conditions, or even a tornado. " > > Just having some clouds in the sky is not enough. > > I realise it’s difficult describing things by text (and you do a good job 🙂 ), but I simply couldn’t see how climbing up a hill (usually it’s safer below in a storm!) to either a burning Tower or a sealed House would help the horses. > Our mounts take up a lot of room (and are naturally scared by fire). OK, I am differentiating between storm and mere rain. The spell can be cast with as little as a Rain Shower or Clouds and Wind or Hot and Cloudy or a Tornado is my reading. . “The Storm” wasn’t due for nearly another hour. The hill is steep and getting horses up the path will be very hard after 2:00pm when the storm is raging. The idea was to get them up there in hopes of having shelter as it will be really dangerous in the open. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2008, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276/1346 "2008-11-17T14:31:58Z")
I had already PM’d \*\*Malacandra \*\*but it looks like more needs to be said: > [@Middle Earth FA63 D&D Game. Fourth Adventure. Journey to Rivendell](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/middle-earth-fa63-d-d-game-fourth-adventure-journey-to-rivendell/464375/1086): > > Were there hillbilly Numenoreans? :dubious: 😛 First of all there practically was. Among the residents of Númenor were Woses\*. I think they might count. Additionally do you really think all those farmers and herders\* of Númenor were highly educated and erudite scholars? Secondly \*Learn \*was a common enough phrase that I used as a translation from a limited magical language to indicate a certain rustic bent of character. Thirdly: From the dreams: “He also dreams of an odd figure affixing a steel rod with 3 small brass balls to the highest roof of the house. … Ghân dreams of one of his own people long ago living in the house for a many seasons. He dreams this wise Wose did place many enchantments and protections upon this house and that the big men of this fort and the people of the Wose had a long and friendly relationship that must have reached back beyond known history.” In conclusion: Yes “Learn”, not hillbilly per se but probably Wose or closely associated with the Woses. - I can and will cite this if needed. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2008, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276/1347 "2008-11-17T15:32:38Z")
Ignorance fought. Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Malacandra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Malacandra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malacandra)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2008, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276/1348 "2008-11-18T19:36:00Z")
I’m now trying to think who Gil-Gandel has ever known who would _not_ be way younger than that black chain. Galadriel, of course - she far predates the War of the Jewels and even Eol wasn’t that old IIRC. Glorfindel, making the usual assumption that he is the one who died at the fall of Gondolin, now reborn. Even Elrond was not in the picture - he was born after the ruin of Doriath, well after Gondolin fell. Cirdan the Shipwright? I’m unsure. Of course Gil-Gandel knows at second hand both Treebeard and Tom Bombadil, who can argue it out as to who is older; neither has any credible competition save the other. (Could he but arrange for that pair to meet for an amiable little chat, GG would give half he owned merely to be allowed to sit and listen. Alas, it’s an unlikely prospect; though both would likely find the meeting a merry one, neither is much given to travelling.) ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2008, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276/1349 "2008-11-18T19:46:08Z")
> [@Malacandra](#): > > I’m now trying to think who Gil-Gandel has ever known who would _not_ be way younger than that black chain. Galadriel, of course - she far predates the War of the Jewels and even Eol wasn’t that old IIRC. Glorfindel, making the usual assumption that he is the one who died at the fall of Gondolin, now reborn. Even Elrond was not in the picture - he was born after the ruin of Doriath, well after Gondolin fell. Cirdan the Shipwright? I’m unsure. Gandalf, Radagast, Celeborn (born before Gondolin was constructed and possible not born in Middle-Earth) Cirdan is maybe one of the First Born he is definitely older though, Glorfindel was an Elf of the Light and Tolkien said he was the same as the one that died in Gondolin but even if he was a different Glorfindel he was still an Elf born in Valinor while the Trees were shining, Thranduil is of uncertain age but was apparently born before Doriath fell. There would be many Ents but you have yet to meet them and Tom as you pointed out. You have heard that one of the Firstborn leads the Elves of the Woods near Rhûn and his name is Belem. Some few elves of Lorien and maybe even Greenwood are surely that old but not mentioned in the Redbook. ---
**Author:** ![Malacandra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Malacandra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malacandra)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2008, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276/1350 "2008-11-18T20:34:58Z")
“Many” Ents? Treebeard says that there are only himself, Finglas and Fladrif (Leaflock and Skinbark) left of the old Ents; there are more of the younger Ents, though even those are old by most standards. It depends when the Entwives departed, of course. But of course I should have thought of the Wizards - though they were still Maiar of the Blessed Realm when Eol was a-forging. Some other Elves, of course, could be reborn spirits of First-Agers; only the Noldor were barred from returning to Middle-Earth. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2008, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276/1351 "2008-11-18T20:46:30Z")
> [@Malacandra](#): > > “Many” Ents? Treebeard says that there are only himself, Finglas and Fladrif (Leaflock and Skinbark) left of the old Ents; there are more of the younger Ents, though even those are old by most standards. It depends when the Entwives departed, of course. But of course I should have thought of the Wizards - though they were still Maiar of the Blessed Realm when Eol was a-forging. > > Some other Elves, of course, could be reborn spirits of First-Agers; only the Noldor were barred from returning to Middle-Earth. Many Ents would still be a small number. But Fangorn was talking of those that awoke before the elves taught the first Ents to speak. I would think that there might well be a few dozen Ents in various conditions therefore older than this armor. Old Man Willow may also be older. It sounds like he was already there when it was one forest between Fangorn and the Old Forest. The reborn spirit part gets interesting. It was never made clear if any are reborn in Middle Earth. As Tolkien seemed to indicate that they were given a new body and it was not simple reincarnation, I would guess all of the reborn are born in Aman. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2008, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276/1352 "2008-11-19T21:48:57Z")
So players chime in or have Gil-Gandel make a command decision please. Do you stay (a day) or do you go? ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2008, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276/1353 "2008-11-20T01:06:45Z")
I sent off a long PM off all the Items and Gold found on the Hill. I don’t think there is anything else but if you recall anything please let me know. \*\*Appleciders \*\*needs to let me know the order of IDs and how many per night. If things go well you are only 7-9 days out now. I think closer to 7. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2008, 5:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276/1354 "2008-11-21T05:35:46Z")
A plague of bats. Now _there’s_ a nightmare for you. :: shudder :: ---
**Author:** ![CatInASuit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3be4f8/32.png) [@CatInASuit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CatInASuit)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2008, 9:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276/1355 "2008-11-21T09:40:44Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > A plague of bats. Now _there’s_ a nightmare for you. :: shudder :: Could be worse. Could be a plague of giant vampire bats 😛 ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2008, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276/1356 "2008-11-21T20:36:45Z")
It looks like we either have an opening for a Ranger or could use someone to play Miron for a while or I’ll be running him as a quiet NPC. I am seeing which \*\*Omi no Kami \*\*prefers. He will be MIA for a few months it appears. I am having problems keeping Rangers about. I would prefer to keep Miron in the game as he just became part of something bigger with the opening of the Kkósal plot that should now take us in Epic Quest territory. I can drop him in Rivendell for a time though until he is ready to return. I left it open for \*\*D\_Odds \*\*to return whenever he wants. I should be able to make that happen fairly fast at this point. I have a reason for him to be pulled back towards the party soon. BTW: As the game progresses if anyone is interesting in joining let me know by a post here, PM or Email. I might be able to make it happen. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2008, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276/1357 "2008-11-22T02:52:36Z")
> [@CatInASuit](#): > > Could be worse. > > Could be a plague of giant vampire bats 😛 True. Which reminds me… do either the various healing spells or Goodberries have the effect of innoculating for rabies? ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2008, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276/1358 "2008-11-23T17:06:09Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > True. Which reminds me… do either the various healing spells or Goodberries have the effect of innoculating for rabies? No, a cure disease is required but thankfully you are now close to that place where they are particularly good at curing diseases. ---
**Author:** ![RogueRacer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/7ab992/32.png) [@RogueRacer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RogueRacer)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2008, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276/1359 "2008-11-25T19:01:14Z")
**Elendil’s Heir** , I got an email saying that you tried to send me a PM but that my mailbox was full. My mailbox is no longer full if you feel I should still see it. Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2008, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276/1360 "2008-11-25T19:03:11Z")
> [@RogueRacer](#): > > **Elendil’s Heir** , I got an email saying that you tried to send me a PM but that my mailbox was full. My mailbox is no longer full if you feel I should still see it. Thanks! Will do - thanks! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276.md?page=67) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-d-on-the-straight-dope-setup-thread-in-middle-earth-fa63/439276.md?page=69)